SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Tim Lincecum was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday because of a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand.

Lincecum doesn't think the blister will sideline him for long, and he was able to play catch Saturday.

"We'll play it by ear, but we're not trying to compound the issue," he said. "It's not too terrible -- nothing I haven't dealt with before. I don't want to compound it and make it worse and turn it into something to keep me out during the season."

The blister makes it difficult for Lincecum to throw his slider and changeup, but he has dealt with the issue before, most notably during the 2010 postseason. Lincecum also worked through a blister during spring training in 2009, and he perked up Saturday when reminded that he went on to win a second straight Cy Young Award that year.

"I did, didn't I," he said, smiling wide.

Lincecum was a long way from his 2009 numbers a year ago, finishing 10-15 with a 5.18 ERA. He came into camp this year with a new haircut and renewed dedication to working out, and the Giants have been thrilled with what they've seen thus far, despite some inconsistency in Lincecum's first spring start.

"He's looked great," manager Bruce Bochy said.

Saturday wasn't the first time Yusmeiro Petit has made a start after Lincecum was scratched at the last second. When the Giants clinched the National League West last September, Bochy elected to give all his starters a game off the next day, including Lincecum, and Petit made a spot start.

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Petit, who is among a group battling for the final bullpen spot, impressed Saturday, giving up just one hit in three quick innings of a 9-7 win over the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium.

After playing winter ball, Pablo Sandoval had hoped to use the first few weeks of spring training as a warm-up for the World Baseball Classic. The plan went off without a hitch. Sandoval's last swing before leaving to join Team Venezuela produced a homer to deep right field, Sandoval's first of the spring.

Sandoval said he won't make any WBC predictions, but he has thought often about the prospect of leading Venezuela to a championship game that will be held at AT&T Park.

"A lot of good stuff has happened for me on that field," he said. "It would bring back a lot of memories. It's going to be exciting for me. I feel great."

Minor leaguer Adam Duvall also hit a homer for the Giants, and Gregor Blanco, Kensuke Tanaka and Johnny Monell each had two hits.

In the other half of a split-squad set, Gary Brown hit his first homer of the spring and Brandon Belt had four hits and a homer, but the Giants fell 9-5 to the Kansas City Royals. Belt is 9 for 12 over the past three games with two homers.

For the first time all spring, the Giants had a relatively empty clubhouse, and not just because it was a split-squad day. Marco Scutaro (Venezuela) and Angel Pagan (Puerto Rico) left camp in the morning to join their WBC squads, and five other tournament participants left after Saturday's games. Ryan Vogelsong is the last WBC player left in camp because he will start Monday's game as a final tuneup for the tournament.

The WBC kicked off Friday night and already has provided a highlight for the Giants. The Netherlands, managed by Giants hitting coach Hensley Meulens, upset South Korea 5-0.

"I saw that," Bochy said. "They're a sleeper."

Left-hander Jose Mijares said he has a bone chip in his left elbow, but he anticipates being back on the field in a week. Mijares had a 2.55 ERA in 27 appearances for the Giants last season.